The Supreme Court of India on Friday announced it will examine whistleblower audio recordings that purportedly feature Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh discussing his role in the recent communal clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The decision underscores the court’s active engagement in addressing the serious allegations amidst ongoing violence in the state.
The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has requested that the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, the petitioner, provide evidence substantiating the authenticity of these recordings. The Court’s directive aims to ensure a rigorous evaluation of the claims presented.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, articulated the charges against Chief Minister Singh, alleging that the recordings capture him admitting to facilitating the insurgency and the looting of arms and ammunition—a serious accusation that, if proven true, could have far-reaching implications on his tenure and the region’s stability.
Countering these claims, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, argued that the allegations are intended to exacerbate the unrest. He suggested that the matter should be handled by the High Court and highlighted efforts by the Chief Minister to convene meetings with Kuki MLAs to restore peace.
Despite the opposition, the Supreme Court decided to proceed with reviewing the recordings to assess their validity, reflecting the gravity with which it views the accusations and the potential implications for Manipur’s governance and law and order.
As the hearing drew to a close, SG Mehta expressed his reservations about the Court’s approach, cautioning about the complexity of the situation given Manipur’s “porous border and uncertain conditions.” However, Chief Justice Chandrachud responded firmly, emphasizing the Court’s deep awareness of the situation in Manipur and its commitment to not taking the allegations lightly.
